I'm assembling a Pyrrhic army, which includes an elephant complete with tower and two crew and am wondering how the latter would have been armed. Bow isn't an option for the figures I have, but would the crew have used javelins or might a sarissa (as per the cover of "Armies of the Macedonian & Punic Wars") have been an option?
The Villa Giulia plate (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villa_Giulia_%2842%29.jpg), which is thought to be a representation of a Pyrrhic elephant, shows javelins. And Dionysios of Halikarnassos (20.2.5) describes the elephant crews throwing spears(longchai) at Asculum. No mention of sarissai that I know of.
Quote from: Duncan Head on May 06, 2025, 12:15 PMThe Villa Giulia plate (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Villa_Giulia_%2842%29.jpg), which is thought to be a representation of a Pyrrhic elephant, shows javelins. And Dionysios of Halikarnassos (20.2.5) describes the elephant crews throwing spears(longchai) at Asculum. No mention of sarissai that I know of.
Thank you. Javelins it shall be then.